Benoni West resident Udine Pretorius shared some of their fondest memories of Rynpark Retirement Village.
Pretorius worked with Louis Weinberg, founder of Rynpark, for 28 years.
Her daughter, Deonne Randall, who was 12 years old at the time, won a competition held for the community to come up with a name for the retirement village. Deonne chose Rynpark, because it is situated in Rynfield, and was delighted to win.
The 61-year-old Deonne said it was an honour to name the village. She won a pearl pendant, which she has kept safe over the years.
Rynpark has been around for 39 years and was officially opened by the Honourable SF Kotze, former Minister of Community Development, on October 30, 1982.
The association was founded by Louis Weinberg and Pastor George Snyman through the work of the Benoni Council for the Care of the Aged.
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Pretorius congratulated the golden oldies of Rynpark and said this reminded her of how the village came to be.
The 84-year-old said Weinberg, who was the first resident of Brakpan, dreamt of a home for the age. At the time Tweedy Park was a great success.
“He then moved to Benoni, opened a hardware shop and after several years he retired. He then wanted the same home for age in Benoni as they had in Brakpan, This is where it all started,” said Pretorius.
“Rynpark was born. It took months of planning to start the project. Up and down trips to Pretoria followed with the committee that was formed, town councilors, architects and Piet van der Riet.”
The first step was to get 200 names of pensioners who would be interested in such a project for the aged.
“It took two months asking pensioners in the que at the Benoni Post Office to ask them if they would agree but some thought we wanted their details for self-interest and it took some explaining to convince them that we cared for the aged.
“We then got the go ahead from Pretoria and we got all the paper work from the town council with the help of the late Rabie Fourie and Caryll Barrable,” she said.
“The other obstacle was financing this huge project. Weinberg arranged with the 16 debutants to start fundraising. Each had their own plans on how they will handle the task.
“We planned a parade with several helpers who were dressed up for the occasion and had collection tins. A honky tonk piano was used to make music as we moved down the streets. Weinberg and Mrs Pheiffer also arranged a musical ball in the Benoni Town Hall, which was a success.”
Pretorius added that everything was ready and they only needed to get a go ahead from the residents in Parker Street.
“We then got the go ahead except from one resident. Weinberg went to see her and asked if she prefers mosquitoes as her neighbours or the aged after some convincing she finally agreed,” said Pretorius.
“After the building was complete, a competition was held to name the association. Names pounded in the office, a visit to the town council was made to decide which name was suitable. Rynpark was chosen and the winner was my daughter Deonne.”
Rynpark started with 202 units in Rynpark One in 1982 and over the years the other parks were developed.
The proud resident said Weinberg’s dream come true for Benoni and he had a good heart for the aged.
“Today his dream goes on and what a great success it is. Thank you for not looking for fame or to become rich from this project. All I can say is thank you for you for your endless enthusiasm and love for the TB Hospital in New Modder.”
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